New group urges Trump to support Kigali

The Let America Lead coalition calls on president to refer the Kigali Amendment to the U.S. Senate for ratification, calling it good for U.S. industry and workers.

A new coalition of conservatives and businesses in the U.S. is focused on persuading President Trump to support the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, the global agreement to phase down the production and use of HFCs.

Announcing its formation this week, the Let America Lead coalition (https://www.letamericalead.com) pledged to work with “conservative leaders at the local, state and national level, manufacturers and businesses, and working Americans across the country to demonstrate to President Trump why support for the Kigali Amendment is a win for American workers and urge him to send it to the U.S. Senate for ratification.”

Founding members of Let America Lead include the National Association of Manufacturers, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Chemistry Council and the American Council for Capital Formation.

“President Trump’s record demonstrates his commitment to making leadership decisions based on their ability to deliver for American workers and American families,” said George David Banks, President Trump’s former adviser on international energy and environment policy, who is serving as a senior advisor to Let America Lead. “Our nation’s manufacturers - large and small - serve as the foundation of our nation’s strength and will see positive benefits from the Kigali Amendment.”

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Our nation’s manufacturers - large and small - serve as the foundation of our nation’s strength and will see positive benefits from the Kigali Amendment.”– George David Banks, Let America Lead

Banks added that the coalition “will help President Trump hear from people he values most why it [the Kigali Amendment] is such a powerful opportunity to level the playing field for America.”

The announcement follows a recent series of public statements of support for Kigali Amendment ratification by conservative groups and politicians. In May, the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute and the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy released a new economic study demonstrating the job creation and economic growth benefits of ratification. But members of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, oppose ratification.

The Kigali Amendment, approved in October 2016 in the Rwandan capital by 197 countries, including the U.S., goes into effect January 1, 2019, in countries that have ratified it. To date, 40 countries have announced ratification.

Under the amendment, developed countries will initiate a 10% reduction of HFCs in 2019, leading up to an 85% cut in 2036 (compared to a 2011-2013 baseline). Developing countries are given more time to implement the phase down.